Give That Eagle Some Wings!

Kinja'd!!! "sn4cktimes" (snacktimes)
04/21/2017 at 18:39 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!4 Kinja'd!!! 13
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New Edelbrock head and gasket for the AMC 258 4.2L. Just need to figure out the header scenario then the block goes out for a pretty serious stripping, machining, and rebuilding. Might even hog out the head a bit more. Not sure yet.

Pretty excited to get some oomph back into the wagon. Think I’ll probably stick with a single exhaust. Not sure yet if I’ll go with 2.5" or 3". I’m thinking 2.5" will probably be more than enough. I’m guessing the choice of header and muffler will make more difference than the pipe diameter.

Cherokee wheels are scheduled for pickup tomorrow with some new Firestones. Can probably pickup the Veloster Turbo tomorrow or Saturday and it goes up for sale.

Good weekend so far!


DISCUSSION (13)


Kinja'd!!! jimz > sn4cktimes
04/21/2017 at 18:44

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Is that a multilayer steel gasket?


Kinja'd!!! DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > sn4cktimes
04/21/2017 at 18:44

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Hmmm you just reminded me how much I want to build up an old America inline six one day. I wonder how good the inline sixes in the El Camino were...


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > jimz
04/21/2017 at 18:49

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Looks like a Felpro Perma MLS. Gotta check the deck surface IIRC.


Kinja'd!!! Frank Grimes > sn4cktimes
04/21/2017 at 19:34

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whoa this is going in an eagle? sweeeet.


Kinja'd!!! jimz > crowmolly
04/21/2017 at 20:31

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yeah, check your surfaces, but if they’re OK, then MLS headgaskets have been godsends to iron block/aluminum head engines.


Kinja'd!!! gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > sn4cktimes
04/21/2017 at 22:06

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Is that the long awaited 4.0 head? If so grab a 4.0 block to toss your 258 crank and rods in, 4.0 pistons. Make good power.


Kinja'd!!! benjrblant > sn4cktimes
04/21/2017 at 22:07

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Nice! That looks like a good time.

Replacement heads for my 4.5 inline 6 are expensive as hell... )=


Kinja'd!!! sn4cktimes > jimz
04/21/2017 at 23:01

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Believe so, the Edelbrock one was out of stock and this was the only other recommended part number (guessing they manufacture EB’s gasket as well, pics looked identical)


Kinja'd!!! sn4cktimes > jimz
04/21/2017 at 23:06

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Entire engine is getting taken apart, re-spec’d and reassembled. It’s quite likely going to end up getting bored out a bit and with custom piston heads so I’m sure the shop will want to get it all planed flat again. I’m hoping with the block having 197k km on it there won’t be any warping. The new head being thicker and apparently thicker should help with that. Plus as I mentioned above I might have them enbiggen the ports of the head a bit. I might also go roller-rockers so that’ll require some machining too.


Kinja'd!!! sn4cktimes > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
04/21/2017 at 23:12

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It IS the 4.0 head. But it also works on the 4.2 block which I’m keeping for nostalgic reasons. I’m also installing a Mopar multi-point fuel injection kit on it. I’ll sacrifice some higher RPM HP keeping the 4.2 but knowing that a lot of things in this car are kinda impossible to keep stock I made a stand on keeping it. Also making sure I keep the car its original brown and that the Select-Drive 4wd system always works (limits my potential transmission choices due to the transfer case).


Kinja'd!!! sn4cktimes > benjrblant
04/21/2017 at 23:17

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It wasn’t cheap... I’m not blowing the doors off my bank account in this car, but it was not a choice I think many people would make for this car. A swap of some sort would be cheaper and net WAY higher gains. But I want to keep the block. It’s kind of a sentimental choice. Given the car is currently driveable with its crappy compression, terrible carb design, oil leaks, and exhaust leaks from the cracked header I think this is going to huge step up from where it’s at now.


Kinja'd!!! sn4cktimes > Frank Grimes
04/21/2017 at 23:17

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Yup, 4wd burnouts here we come!


Kinja'd!!! gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > sn4cktimes
04/22/2017 at 12:11

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Makes sense, yeah. Pretty easy to cross the line and just end up with a Jeep with a weird body instead of an Eagle.